In BMT, you will march in formation, varying in size, everywhere you go. Follow these procedures when marching on base:
- All formations must use Warrior Airman Walkways when available
- Never march in the street and avoid routes that do not have sidewalks or Warrior Airman Walkways
- March against the direction of vehicular traffic when possible
- Keep away from construction sites
- When two or more trainees march together, they will stay two abreast
- March at the position of attention
- Be properly sized
- Regardless of the number or formation, Trainees/Airmen will march at the position of attention and follow appropriate work/rest cycles based on heat stress conditions
- Stay in step with each other
- Use appropriate cadence and drill commands
If a trainee becomes sick or injured while marching without an MTI, take the following actions:
- Stop a passing vehicle and ask for assistance
- Send a runner to the nearest building to get help
- Stay with the trainee until help arrives
Crossing Intersections, Roadways and Driveways
- Halt and check for traffic before entering intersections, roadways and driveways
- If equipped with a crosswalk signal, the person in charge of the formation will push the signal button. If alone, push button to activate the signal
Procedures For Crossing Warrior Airman Walkways
or Luke Boulevard or Selfridge Avenue walkways take the following action:
- March at ease and in a column of twos
- Flights will not reform until they have completely crossed the walkway
For all other Warrior Airman Walkways and bridges, flights will march at the position of attention.
Procedures For the Hours of Darkness
- Travel in a group of two or more
- Two trainees of the opposite gender will never march alone, regardless of the time of day
- Trainees on the left side of the formation carry their flashlights in their left hand. Trainees on the right side of the same formation carry their flashlights in their right hand
- You must carry your flashlight and wear your reflective belt if it is dark or if there is a chance you will return after dark
Marching in Units
The trainee in charge will be responsible for command and control of the unit and its safety by following these procedures:
Units of Four or Less Trainees (called a Detail)
- Form up in column formation with 2 abreast
- The entire unit salutes officers and staff cars
- Stop at all intersections, roadways and driveways; with the trainee in charge checking for traffic before proceeding
- Road guards are not required and the trainee in charge remains part of the unit while marching through the intersection, roadway or driveway
Units of 5-12 Trainees (called a Flight)
- March at the rear and outside of the unit, even with the last rank, on the side of nearest traffic or hazard
- Salute officers and staff cars for the unit
- When approaching intersections, roadways and driveways:
- After halting the unit, march to the edge of the roadway and check for traffic
- Once the street is clear, post in the center of the roadway to stop traffic, raising arms to stop traffic if necessary
- Once traffic stops, assume the position of attention and perform the appropriate facing movements to face the unit
- Give the command “FORWARD, March”
- As the entire unit marches through the intersection, roadway or driveway, perform appropriate facing movements to maintain line of sight on the unit to monitor possible hazards
- Once the entire unit has cleared the roadway, give the command “FLIGHT, Halt” then “Cover”
- Rejoin the flight in the appropriate position and proceed
Units of 13 or more Trainees (Called a Flight)
Follow the same procedures as units of 5-12, and include the following procedures to post road guards at intersections, roadways and driveways:
- After halting the unit, determine the appropriate quantity of road guards needed to cover the lanes of traffic flowing through the route of march and ensure they know where to post
- After checking traffic and posting in the center of the roadway, give the command “Road Guards Out”
For two lanes:
- The front road guards double time into the street, centered in their respective lane of traffic, facing oncoming traffic
- Road guards will assume the position of parade rest, with one arm extended out front, parallel to the ground, and the palm facing traffic. During the hours of darkness, an operational flashlight will be in this hand with the light pointing down
- After road guards are properly posted and give the command “FORWARD, March”
- As the unit marches through the intersection, roadway or driveway, the trainee in charge performs appropriate facing movements to maintain line of sight on the unit to monitor possible hazards; and the rear road guards double time into the street and tap the front road guards on the shoulder
- The rear road guards take the place of the front road guards, and the front road guards double time to the front of the unit to assume their original position
- After the entire unit clears the intersection, roadway or driveway, give the command “FLIGHT, Halt”, then give the command “Road Guards In”
- Rear road guards double time to their original position at the rear of the unit
- After the road guards clear the intersection, roadway or driveway, rejoin the unit in the appropriate position and proceed
For three or four lanes
- Before giving the command “Road Guards Out”, have one or both rear road guards move to the front of the unit with the front road guards
- After giving the command “Road Guards Out”, all road guards at the front double time into the street, centered in their respective lane of traffic, facing oncoming traffic
- Follow the same procedures for positioning and marching as for two lanes
- Upon giving the command “Road Guards In”, all roads double time to their original positions at the front or rear of the unit
- After road guards clear the intersection, roadway or driveway, rejoin the unit in the appropriate position and proceed
NOTE: report vehicles failing to observe RM to your MTI or supervisory personnel. Try to provide them with as detailed information as possible. When reporting the violation, give the time, location, vehicle description, license plate number and a description of the violation.